In Memory of

Class of 1967
Jul 28, 1949 - Mar 11, 2026

Charlyn Lolan Ho-Wong, passed away peacefully in San Francisco, CA, on March 11, 2026, at the age of 76. She was born July 28, 1949, in Honolulu, Hawaii, grew up in San Mateo, CA, and lived most of her life in San Francisco, CA. The eldest daughter of three siblings, she is survived by her sister, Meilan Ho Creger (John Creger) and her brother, Greg Ho. She and her husband Henry Ho-Wong (deceased in 2019) leave behind their children, Camille Formentos (Joseph Formentos), and Ian Ho-Wong, and grandchildren Hiero and Rison Formentos.
Her first name, Charlyn, was a combination of her parents’ names, Evelyn Chai Hoo Lee and Richard Foo Wei Ho, though she preferred her Chinese name, Lolan. A 1967 graduate of Aragon High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UC Davis and a teaching credential from SFSU. She married Henry Wong in 1975; they welcomed their daughter, Camille, in 1981 and their son, Ian, in 1984. After marrying, they combined their surnames and legally adopted Ho-Wong as their shared last name.
Lolan treasured time with friends and extended family and knew her family tree well. She worked for many years in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights before retiring. She loved gardening, traveling, and exploring San Francisco’s abundant and diverse food scene. A devoted supporter of the arts, she eagerly visited new exhibitions at the de Young, Asian Art Museum, SFMOMA, Palace of Fine Arts, and other cultural institutions. In retirement, she volunteered at the Asian Art Museum and San Francisco Ballet. She and Henry also enjoyed attending the ballet and opera. Lolan had a keen interest in fashion and architecture.
In March 2023, Lolan underwent major brain surgery to remove a large benign tumor. Her hospitalization and recovery inspired her to prioritize her health. She had to relearn how to move and care for herself, gradually rebuilding her abilities with help from a home health team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Her determination in weekly therapy helped her regain independence. She took particular pride in walking through her neighborhood alone and enjoyed preparing care packages whenever she thought of loved ones. She often said that she was healing and becoming stronger. Lolan loved her family and friends deeply and will be greatly missed.